Narada editor moves Calcutta High Court against police summons

Kolkata, July 25 (IANS) Narada News editor-in-chief Mathew Samuel on Monday moved the Calcutta High Court against the city police summons to him over a sting operation in which several of West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress leaders were purportedly shown accepting money.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in June ordered a probe headed by the city Police Commissioner to find if there was a “conspiracy” behind the sting.

In pursuance of the probe, the police booked Samuel on several charges and summoned him multiple times for his personal appearance and interrogation.

But Samuel refused to appear before the police contending that the Calcutta High Court is hearing multiple public interest litigations (PILs) seeking independent probe into the sting operation.

With the police now securing a court order directing his appearance, Samuel has moved the division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur, which is hearing the PILs.

“Despite Samuel repeatedly writing to the police requesting to withdraw the summons till the pendency of litigations, the police have refused to pay heed. The police are acting as if they are above the court. So we brought the matter to the court’s notice,” Samuel’s counsel Arunava Ghosh said.

“The court has directed us to file an application in this regard following which it give a suitable order,” said Ghosh.

The police has already grilled Trinamool legislator Iqbal Ahmed and Indian Police Service officer S.M.H. Meerza, who featured in the sting.